Hunan Museum is a comprehensive museum located in Changsha City. Founded in 1951, it is one of the important cultural institutions in Hunan Province. The museum is dedicated to collecting, studying, and displaying the historical, cultural, and artistic heritage of Hunan Province and its surrounding areas, boasting a rich collection of artifacts and exhibits. The museum consists of five floors, but only three of them are open for visitors.
Hunan Museum
The collections of the Hunan Museum span multiple fields, including archaeological artifacts, artworks, historical materials, and folk culture. Among them, the artifacts unearthed from the Mawangdui Han Dynasty Tombs are one of the museum's significant features, showcasing the unique charm of ancient Han culture. In addition, the museum also houses numerous precious historical artifacts and artworks, such as bronzes, ceramics, paintings, and calligraphy, reflecting the rich cultural traditions and artistic styles of Hunan.
Besides permanent exhibitions, the Hunan Museum regularly hosts a variety of temporary exhibitions and cultural activities, attracting numerous tourists and cultural enthusiasts. It also has a library and academic research institutions, providing an important platform for academic research and cultural exchange. A visit to the museum will allow you to gain a deeper understanding of Hunan's history and culture, experiencing a mix of tradition and modernity. Here is a brief introduction to some of the exhibition halls in the Hunan Museum:
The Mawangdui Han Dynasty Tombs in Changsha
Mawangdui Han Dynasty Tombs
The Mawangdui Han Dynasty Tombs in Changsha, excavated between 1972 and 1974, were the burial sites of a family of three, including the prime minister of the Changsha Kingdom during the Western Han Dynasty. Over 3,000 precious artifacts were unearthed, making it one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Including silk, lacquerware, jadeite, and more, these valuable artifacts providing visitors with an insight into the culture and lifestyle of the Han Dynasty.
Hunanese: Exhibition of Hunan History and Culture
Hunan History and Culture
This exhibition is divided into five sections. The first section showcases the natural environment of Hunan life through the evolution of landforms, changes in flora and fauna, and historical development. The second section reveals the ethnic structure and distribution of modern Hunan people and how they formed through long-term historical development. The third section primarily displays the natural advantages of Hunan that are suitable for crop cultivation and growth. The fourth section reflects snapshots of Hunan people's lives in different historical periods in chronological order. The fifth section showcases the spiritual outlook of Hunan people. Unlike most museums, this exhibition does not focus on modern revolutionary history, but rather emphasizes the spirit of Hunan people.
Ancient Ceramic and Bronze Mirror
bronze mirror
This hall exhibits the craftsmanship and artistic styles of ancient ceramics, including the tri-color glazed ceramics of the Tang Dynasty and the celadon porcelain of the Song and Yuan Dynasties. It also houses ancient bronze mirrors, covering major mirror types from the Warring States period to the Ming and Qing dynasties. It aims to showcase the shapes, decorations and other features of bronze mirrors from different eras, thereby reflecting the development of these mirrors, revealing their robust vitality spanning thousands of years, and exploring their cultural connotation.
Painting and Calligraphy Art
Painting and Calligraphy Art
This exhibition hall showcases the masterpieces of renowned painters and calligraphers from Hunan, embodying the artistic charm of Chinese traditional painting and calligraphy. The design of the hall adheres to a simple and elegant aesthetic, utilizing light-colored floors and display boards to create a pure viewing environment. The wall colors and lighting are carefully coordinated with the exhibits to highlight the quality of the paintings and calligraphy works. This provides you with a captivating aesthetic and visual feast.
In addition, there are other exhibition halls with varying themes that change accordingly with events and seasons. Through the diverse displays in these halls, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of the history, culture, and art of Hunan, experiencing the unique charm of traditional Chinese culture. If you are inclined to visit the Hunan Museum, we are confident that it will leave you with a profound impression.
Travel Information
Location: 50, Dongfeng Road, Kaifu District, Changsha City, Hunan
Open hours:
From Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 -- 17:00 (last entry at 16:00）
Closed on Mondays.
Recommended visiting hours: 3 Hours
Admission: Free of Charge
Notes
Inflammable, explosive or dangerous articles and other contraband are strictly prohibited. Security check is required before entering the museum. No drinks, food, or pets.
Visitors having difficulty in walking or with underlying diseases shall be accompanied by others.
Children under the age of 14 shall be accompanied by adults.
No admission for people who are drunk, do not properly dressed, or have mental diseases without accompanied guardians.
Some floor in the exhibition halls is slippery and lighting in some sections is not very bright. Please be cautious.
No filming or flash. Selfie-sticks and tripods are also prohibited.
Do not touch the exhibits. Anyone who damages the cultural relics shall bear the legal liability.
Please protect the public facilities. Smoking, making noises, chasing, climbing or lying on the ground are forbidden inside the museum.
Please keep clean of the public space and do not litter in the exhibition halls.
Please abide by public order and do not wear roller skates or any kinds of roller shoes.
During major events, please follow the instructions of the museum staff.
The above information is for reference only. The specific prices and preferential policies may be adjusted according to the season, holidays and other factors, we recommend tourists to check the latest information through official channels before travel.
